Chapter 42 – Today 

“What is it then?”  

Kairan crossed his legs and weakly pressed for an answer. Harpe, as if he had been waiting for this question, responded smoothly.  

“I entered the palace out of loyalty to the Celesta Royal Family and respect for you, Your Grace, the Grand Duke.”  

“……”  

Loyalty? Respect? Kairan found both notions absurd. The former was unconvincing, and the latter left him utterly speechless.  

“I might not meet your expectations right now, but I will strive to ensure you are satisfied soon, Your Grace.”  

Despite Kairan glaring at him fiercely, Harpe firmly stated his position.  

‘This bug of a man.’  

He was a sigh-inducing nuisance.  

Kairan had already sensed that Harpe wasn’t someone who could be dismissed with a mere bribe. Nevertheless, he had tossed out the offer as a test, knowing that no matter the amount Harpe demanded, it wouldn’t significantly impact his finances.  

Contrary to his resolute declaration earlier, Harpe now wore a friendly smile, as if he was ready to obey any command with delight.  

For today, given the many tasks at hand, Kairan decided to avoid further arguments. And for the time being, he could temporarily remove the source of his frustration.  

“Leave now.”  

“Yes, Your Grace. I’ll take my leave then.”  

Harpe obediently exited the room. However, Kairan didn’t hear the sound of footsteps fading away. Harpe clearly intended to continue acting as his attendant.  

‘How do I get rid of such a man for good?’  

Lying sprawled on the bed, Kairan pondered his options. Since money—the first method—had failed, the remaining possibilities seemed even less promising. Harpe would either have to resign voluntarily or commit a grave offense against him.  

If it were the latter, even Lenoa would likely approve of his dismissal. Moreover, there would be consequences. Kairan could easily influence the severity of the punishment. Imagining the penalties he could impose almost brought a smile to his face.  

‘I don’t know. Not now.’  

For now, he was physically and mentally exhausted. He decided to rest a little before tackling his duties, which had piled up severalfold.  

Just as he was about to close his eyes, a drawer came into view.  

“Oh, right…”  

Muttering to himself, Kairan quickly approached the drawer.  

In the top compartment was a bottle of sleeping pills. He distinctly remembered carelessly leaving it on top of the drawer. Lenoa must have found it and placed it inside.  

Fortunately, Lenoa didn’t seem to know what the pills were. She hadn’t mentioned anything about them and had quietly put the bottle away.  

Even if she had realized, it wouldn’t have been a big deal. He could simply explain that he had taken them a few times for insomnia. It wasn’t even a lie.  

However, those sleeping pills were a source of shame for him. In the past, his father had ordered him to use them to commit an act of betrayal against Lenoa. Kairan had adamantly refused and never carried out the order, but the guilt had since shackled him like a chain.  

In an attempt to atone, he had taken the pills a few times and endured considerable side effects. This self-destructive act had become a ritual of penance, harming his health but bringing him peace of mind.  

Ironically, his actions to atone for his wrongs toward her ended up benefiting her.  

Just then, there was a knock at the door.  

“Your Grace, a servant named John wishes to see you.”  

Although it was Harpe’s annoying voice, Kairan was pleased to hear John’s name. Ah, this could work. Kairan saw an opportunity in John.  

“Let him in.”  

There was no way Kairan would ever let someone like Harpe into his space again. But others, like John, were a different matter. John would serve as the first example.  

Soon, the door opened, and a hesitant John entered the room. Kairan warmly gestured for him to take a seat at the table, but John, too nervous to sit, quickly asked his question.  

“Y-Your Grace! My father… is he…?”  

“Don’t worry. I’ve requested an investigation in Benecia. I’ll inform you as soon as I receive any updates.”  

At Kairan’s response, the tearful look on John’s face gave way to growing relief. Seeing his brightening expression lifted Kairan’s spirits as well.  

‘I truly hope he’s safe.’  

The main reason Kairan had extended a hand to John was Benecia’s involvement. Since John’s father had gone missing in Benecia, any danger arising from this incident and its potential impact on Celesta’s relations with Benecia had to be avoided.  

Given that Kairan himself had once been a Benecian, he had to prevent any deterioration in their diplomatic ties, even if the two nations kept their distance.  

But as Kairan looked at John, any selfish motives melted away like snow. Diplomatic relations could be improved later; for now, he genuinely hoped John’s father was alive.  

“Thank you, Grand Duke Blandi… no, Grand Duke Kairan!”  

“Heh. You remember well.”  

“Yes. And I’ve kept silent about your message to Her Majesty the Queen.”  

“Good. That’s important.”  

Hearing John’s report, Kairan felt relieved. John, though a bit naive, was far more likable than the irritating man outside the door.  

John hurriedly bowed and excused himself. Kairan, needing to head to his office, rose to his feet as well.  

As they were about to leave the room together, Kairan suddenly turned to John and whispered, 

‘Would you consider becoming my attendant?’  

***

“Hmm, which earrings should I wear…?”

On the day she was to accompany Kairan to the secondary palace, Lenoa had been facing a serious dilemma since morning.  

She had already chosen a pure white dress adorned with lace and ribbons. Initially, she had agonized over the dress as well, but then Kairan’s words had come to mind.  

A compliment, nearly a confession, about how well white suited her.  

The white dress complemented her fair, flawless skin and platinum blonde hair. White was her personal color.  

The dress came as part of a set with a necklace and bracelet, so all she needed to match were the earrings.  

After sorting through countless pairs, a particular set of earrings caught Lenoa’s eye.  

They were yellow citrine earrings adorned with beads. Coincidentally, they matched the gold bracelet on her wrist perfectly. A smile spread across Lenoa’s face.  

“These earrings, I’ll wear these.”  

“Ah, but those earrings…”  

Unlike the delighted Lenoa, Betier looked troubled. When Lenoa tilted her head in confusion, Betier hesitated before explaining.  

“If I recall correctly, those earrings were a gift from Grand Duke Blandi about two years ago.”  

Betier sighed inwardly.  

As the head maid, she couldn’t overlook the origins of any of Lenoa’s belongings. Naturally, she clearly remembered the items Kairan had gifted her.  

Since Lenoa owned so many accessories, it was rare for her to wear anything from Kairan.  

Although Betier thought the citrine earrings suited Lenoa perfectly, she had deliberately pretended not to notice them because they were from Kairan.  

“Oh, now that you mention it… Wearing them might please the Grand Duke.”  

Lenoa examined the earrings closely, then smiled as if she had found a long-lost treasure.  

Betier, resigned, muttered to herself and helped Lenoa put on the earrings. The dainty yellow beads swayed with Lenoa’s every move.  

At last, her preparations were complete.  

“Where is the Grand Duke?”  

“He’s waiting outside.”  

The moment Betier opened the door, Lenoa came face-to-face with Kairan.  

As soon as he saw her, Kairan covered his mouth with his hand.  

“Ah… You look truly… stunning today.”  

His violet eyes, which reflected a lily-like woman, glowed with warmth.  

Embarrassed by Kairan’s gaze, Lenoa instinctively looked away. Her ears, adorned with the earrings, turned red.  

‘Why am I so flustered…? Did I overdress?’  

She felt as if this had happened before, but couldn’t recall when. While Lenoa stood frozen in thought, Kairan extended his hand to escort her.  

‘He hasn’t noticed the earrings yet.’  

The two walked in silence for a while, but Kairan kept stealing glances at Lenoa. He did so every three steps, so much so that Lenoa began to wonder if something was behind her.  

“P-Please, step in.”  

Once outside, they boarded the carriage. Lenoa sat first, followed by Kairan.  

As the carriage began to move and Lenoa gazed absentmindedly out the window, something brushed against her right shoulder.  

When she turned her head, she saw Kairan, nodding off as he struggled to stay awake.  

‘Well, this is unexpected.’  

Lenoa chuckled at the sight. First, he had overslept, and now he was dozing off. No wonder he seemed out of sorts today.  

She pondered how to handle the situation.  

If she moved to the opposite seat, Kairan might lose his balance and wake up. Moving him herself wasn’t an option due to their size difference.  

In the end, Lenoa gently pulled Kairan toward her lap. His head rested on her thighs as he slept.  

Though he showed no signs of waking, Lenoa turned her gaze to the window, her face flushed with embarrassment.  

They had stayed up late the previous night preparing for today’s trip to the secondary palace. Kairan, in particular, had worked tirelessly without rest, so it was no surprise he was exhausted.  

Since today was meant for them, Lenoa figured this much was acceptable.  

Occasionally accompanied by the chirping of birds outside the window, the carriage headed toward the secondary palace, which also served as a retreat during the day.

“We’ve arrived.”

The coachman’s voice woke Kairan. He rubbed his eyes and sat up, suddenly glancing to his side, realizing where he had just been lying moments ago.

“Y-Your Majesty… I-I apologize.”

“It’s… it’s alright.”

Kairan, at a loss for what to do, repeatedly bowed his head. Seeing him bowing so earnestly reminded Lenoa of his nodding off earlier, and she couldn’t help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all.

Hurriedly, Kairan helped Lenoa down and walked with her toward the secondary palace. Thanks to the brief nap, his steps were fortunately steady.

Unlike the main palace, the secondary palace was exclusively for the use of the royal family. Lenoa often visited this retreat with her parents when there were no royal events.

This was the first time she had come to the secondary palace, now with Kairan. It was also Kairan’s first visit to this place.

As they entered the secondary palace, the caretakers of the palace welcomed the two royals.

“Welcome, Your Majesty, the Queen, and Your Grace, the Grand Duke. You must be hungry; please proceed directly to the dining room.”

Following the caretaker’s guidance, they arrived at the dining room, where a luxurious meal comparable to that of the main palace was laid out. Steam rose from the soup and steak.

Having decided to have breakfast in the secondary palace rather than the main palace, both were quite famished. Lenoa immediately picked up her knife and began eating. She was enjoying her meal when she suddenly noticed Kairan picking at his food.

He hadn’t even touched the fish dish he loved so much, nor had he finished the appetizer. He merely chewed on the salad vegetables repeatedly.

‘Indeed… He must not be feeling well.’